Three months earlier on July 14, Livingstone and others stole two sun loungers and two mountain bikes worth more than £1,000 from a Yarm home, the court heard.

A neighbour, security guard Peter Simpson, followed the culprits. Livingstone threw pieces of paving slabs at him and broke free after the pursuer pulled at his clothing.

Teesside’s most senior judge ordered that Mr Simpson should be rewarded £250 from public funds for his brave persistence.

Livingstone, of Hedingham Close, Middlesbrough, who had 32 previous convictions, admitted the July theft and handling stolen goods from the October burglary.

Tonkin, of Lambton Road, Grove Hill, who had 170 convictions including burglaries and thefts, admitted the Linthorpe Road burglary and breaching an Anti-social Behaviour Order.

Representing himself in court, Tonkin said: “Most of my crime was while I’ve been addicted to heroin. I’ve been drug-free for a couple of years. I’m just trying to get on the straight and narrow.

“I’m not getting the help and a place to live. Now I’m getting institutionalised.”

Livingstone’s barrister Nigel Soppitt said the dad-of-two’s hard-working wife saw a “detectable change” since giving him an ultimatum to mend his ways or lose his family. He had left drugs behind and his offending had slowed down.

Judge Peter Fox QC, the Recorder of Middlesbrough, said he could not avoid sending either to prison - Livingstone for 15 months, Tonkin for 12 months.

He told Livingstone: “You say you’re a soft touch. I think you’ve got a violent streak which has got to be watched.

“I’ve read with a lot of sympathy what your wife has said about the hard time that you’re giving her and your daughters. But it’s your choice.”